(WKYT) — Gov. Andy Beshear joined 25 states and the District of Columbia in a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education.
According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, the lawsuit, filed in Maryland, pertains to the department’s redefined rules regarding how much federal money students pursuing professional and graduate degrees can borrow.
The lawsuit claims the Department of Education added additional criteria to qualify for professional degree loans beyond what Congress agreed upon when approving the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the Herald-Leader reported.
Loan limits will be lower based on areas of study and experience under the redefined rules, according to the Herald-Leader.
The Herald-Leader reported students in professional programs can borrow up to $50,000 per year and $200,000 over their lifetime, while students in graduate programs can borrow up to $20,500 per year and $100,000 total.
Previously, students could borrow their full cost of attendance, according to the National Education Association, the Herald-Leader reported.
The lawsuit also alleges the department failed to consider programs’ operating costs and higher loan limits for certain high-cost degrees.
According to the Herald-Leader, the lawsuit claims the new criteria would also keep students from “grandfathering” current loan limits when they transfer, withdraw or re-enroll in an institution.